BUCKLEY Barracks in Hullavington got a taste of the exotic on Saturday, when a troop of six Fijian wives performed traditional dancing at the camp's cultural day.

Organised to bring the wives and families of the 9 Supply Regiment, currently stationed in the Gulf, together for some fun in the sun, there was plenty to take the families' minds off their absent loved ones.

Coleen Davies, information officer at the camp's community centre, the HIVE, said: "The day was a tremendous success and the Fijian wives really made it something special.

"They wore grass skirts and flower garlands around their necks and in their hair, and the music they danced to was fantastic they even brought people up from the crowd to take part which was great fun."

The 525 soldiers of 9 Supply Regiment are stationed around Al Zubayr Port, about 120kms south of Basra.

Supplying second line combat support to the logistics brigade, the majority of the soldiers, who are working in 50-degree heat, are due back to Britain in August, although 160 will stay on until November.

The cultural day also entertained the wives and families of Ghanaian soldiers, currently serving with the regiment.

The barracks' remaining regiments laid on a fun event for the children.

"The regiments had really gone all out to entertain the children," said Mrs Davies.

"There was a ducking stool which the children had to throw balls at to drop a soldier on to mattresses and there was a wet sponge throwing competition and rides in Army caterpillar vehicles," she said.

"On top of all that, there was also a barbecue. It was just what the families needed.

Mrs Davies said she and the team at the HIVE were now busily sending pictures from the event over to the boys in the Gulf.

"Communications between the families and the troops while they are away has been a godsend for everyone," she said.

"Since seeing the pictures of their children going to Legoland in the Gazette and Herald a couple of weeks ago, the morale among the regiment has really shot up.

"And seeing the children enjoying themselves at the barracks this weekend will be another welcome boost."